Where Magic Happens is a big claim and a big vision to fill. At Coventry we see magic as the moment when you move past your limiting challenge into the healing that manifests the life you desire. Magic is our passion, and we live that passion in every candle, message and fragrance we create.
They do work, and we have 25 years of repeat business that proves it. If that isn’t enough, we have story after story from customers around the world that tell us how a Coventry candle has changed their lives. We know that the changing was 90% their own effort—intention and magic—we just
provided the energy to help them over their spiritual block.
It doesn’t make logical sense that an intentional candle can change your life. Again, you do the changing; Coventry’s candles are the catalyst. It’s the blend of the right oils, herbs, color, words and that extra mojo that Coventry adds into every product that we make. What we create is the vibration that your intention will match; you are then empowered to unlock the magic that you already hold inside. You are the ultimate magic maker in your own life; Coventry products just give you that nudge or spiritual road map to get you out of personal short circuit and into healing.
Back in 1991 when Jacki Smith, Coventry’s founder, was studying herbalism along with her spiritual pursuits, she started to understand how the energy of the herbs and oils can change your vibration. If consuming an herb for healing purposes can train your body to respond in a different way to its healing crisis, then bringing the herbs and oils into your energetic space can help train your energy to respond in a new way to your spiritual crisis. She realized this is what such magical herbalists as Paul Beryl and Scott Cunningham were talking about: magic is about healing your spirit. After many tests of this new understanding, Jacki started making and selling her candle creations in 1992.
Candles are a physical, emotional, logical and spiritual representation of change and transformation. You can say that the image of the sacred flame has graced spiritual texts and arts through the ages. You can say that the alchemical process of turning a solid into a liquid, then into a gas is the ultimate transmutation of intent into reality. You could say that the candle is made in balance of all four elements. You could also say that candles are really cool, feel magic and set an awesome mood! Why candles?
Because Jacki had always loved working with candles for mood, magic and romance; of course she would add her other passions into this one. The other, lesser-known reason is that fate took her to a small candle-making shop in Ferndale, MI where the owner sold her the initial supplies for making her first candle and taught her the basics that she wrote down on the back of the receipt. From there she was hooked!
As of 2017, Coventry has made and sold nearly two million candles all over the world, each and every one a hand crafted beauty. We have employed dozens of local families and have used local businesses as our suppliers since before it was cool to do so. We are proud of our longevity and success; we are humbled by our responsibility and effect on the world.
After making a slew of holiday gifts in December of 1991, our reluctant leader finally sold her first Blessed Herbal candle in June of 1992. Self-sabotage can be a powerful force, and it was the use of her own candles that got her to move from fearing social judgment into the courage to share her creations. Her friends encouraged her, family encouraged her, strangers encouraged her but it took Jacki using her own product—what is now called the Prosperity Blessed Herbal Candle—to help her take those first steps to make a batch of candles for sale. They were ugly, burned funny, and had a label that was held on with a rubber band. She sold them all in her first go-round.
Things went crazy from there: store owners were finding this product in other stores and calling to place their own orders. Customers were passing on the candles to friends in need, so on and so on. This went viral the old school way—pre-Internet and certainly pre-Facebook. Patty Shaw, Jacki’s sister and business partner, came on board with her calm, introspective support and, together, they were able to take Coventry further and wider than Jacki could have ever dreamt about.
Together, in a way only a partnership of sisters could do, Jacki and Patty continue to be a catalyst of healing in numerous lives. From the continual evolution of Coventry’s products to writing books, teaching classes, hosting radio shows and being spiritual healers and readers, these two have dedicated their lives to healing through magic.
As the children became adults, each one took a turn at Coventry Creations. Monica and Rebecca grew up around Coventry, and were there in the initial creation stages and worked many a summer during their high school and college years. After several years abroad, Monica came back with husband Carlos to head up production and customer care. Patty's son Alan dipped in a few times to check it all out, but decided computer game design is where his heart lies.
The dynamic duo stayed with Coventry for three years and helped them level up once again. Jacki's daughter Rebecca blew everyone away with her leadership and savvy with cracking the inventory code before she took off for adventures of her own. Both mom's couldn't be prouder of their children.